Three years of planning and work came to fruition for Tracy
civic leaders this week.

The Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development
announced Friday that Tracy has been selected for a $934,750
Small Cities Grant. The grant is earmarked for the rehabilitation
of up to 15 homes occupied by low and moderate-income families,
25 affordable rental units, and 15 commercial buildings.

"This is great news for our city," said Mayor Steve
Ferrazzano, who was notified of the grant award through a letter
he received Saturday. "Needless to say, I'm very
excited."

Tracy leaders have been laying the groundwork for the Small
Cities grant since 2000, when Eagan planner Fred Sabongi was
hired by the council to help draft a "revitalization"
plan. The Sabongi plan was included in a grant application
compiled by Rick Goodeman of the Southwest Minnesota Housing
Partnership. The Small Cities grant application was submitted
last fall.

Tracy was one of 90 Minnesota cities to submit a Small Cities
grant application, but one of only 35 to receive funding.

State officials ranked Tracy's application as the No. 1
comprehensive Small Cities Grant application. Overall, Tracy's
ranked second among the 90 Small Cities applications.

"They liked the Tracy project, and felt that the money
would be a good investment," Goodeman said. The Tracy
application not only demonstrated a need, he said, but also
showed broad-based community support and participation in the
planning process. The Sabongi revitalization plan, which included
several community meetings, definitely helped Tracy's grant
application, Goodeman said.

Garvin still looking forsewer
connection money

Small Cities request fails

The City of Garvin will push forward with a sanitary sewer
collection and treatment system, despite a failed bid to secure a
$159,000 Small Cities Development Grant.

"We need to look for some other funding source,"
said Mayor Jim Julien Monday. "We can't put this off (sewer
project) any longer."

Julien expressed disappointment that Garvin wasn't one of the
35 cities selected by the Minnesota Department of Trade and
Economic Development for a Small Cities grant. The money would
have been used to pay for the sewer hook ups to private homes and
businesses in Garvin.

Garvin previously secured about $1.4 million in grants and
low-interest loans from the federal Rural Development Agency to
build the sewer system.

Outdoors showpacks 'em in

Attendance pegged at nearly 5,000

The first-ever Tracy Area Sportsmen's Show turned out to be a
whopper.

"It's exceeded our expectations," said co-chairman
Bill Chukuske, Saturday. "It's been wonderful." Ron
Koopman, the other co-chair, said he'd heard nothing but positive
comments. "We've had a great day."

Since admission was free, an exact attendance total was not
compiled. But nearly 4,300 people did register for door prizes.
Robert Gervais, Tracy Community Development, said that if another
10% is added for people who didn't register, attendance could
easily have totaled about 4,800 people for the nine-hour show.

Planners had hoped to attract 4,000 people. "Anything
over 4,000 was tremendous," Gervais said. Despite not
charging admission, as well as offering many free attractions,
the sportsman's show made money.

Landmark eyed forTracy visitor
center

The "Stone Station" in Tracy may soon have a fresh
look and a new purpose.

The landmark, located at the corner of Craig Ave. and Center
Street, was once a gas station along Hwy. 14. The Tracy
Revitalization Committee is spearheading a project to have the
building improved and used as a summer visitor's center.

The idea got a boost Monday night, when Tracy City Council
members agreed to have the City of Tracy pay utilities at the new
center. The utility costs are estimated at $1,200.

The revitalization committee is raising money to upgrade the
building with plumbing, heat, cooling, and electricity. The
exterior would be enhanced with new paint trim, a sign, and
flowers.

A lease agreement to use the property has been worked out with
property owner Tony Peterson.

Council members noted that while city money is tight, the
Stone Station has high visibility in the community and would
dovetail with other city beautification efforts. The city
recently applied for a Hwy. 14 beautification grant. Last year,
the revitalization committee completed a flower bed and park
bench beautification project across the street from the Stone
Station.

City staff, council willdiscuss
spending cuts

Tracy City Council members are scheduled to meet with city
department heads Monday, April 21, to discuss the enactment of
immediate spending reductions and fee increases.

The possible economy moves are in response to a budget cuts
proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. If the governor's budget is
approved, the City of Tracy would lose $144,000 in state aid this
year, and another $274,000 next year. The governor's budget
balances a projected $4.2 billion shortfall in the state's budget
over the next two years. The governor and state legislators are
required to enact a balanced budget by June 30 of this year.

City Administrator Audrey Koopman has instructed city
department heads to prepare plans to cut spending by 10% this
year. The Monday night discussion with the council will be based,
in part, on the department head recommendations.

Swift Lake campground will be re-drawn
with bigger sites

Larger campsites are on the hosizon for Swift
lake Park. Tracy City Council members have approved a polan
suggest by Public Works Director Rick Robinson to reconfigure the
Swift Lake camping are. Camping fees will be raised to pay for
the improvements.

Robinson's plan nearly doubles the size of the
Swift Lake campsites to 40-70 feet. the present sites are too
close together and not large enough to accommodate many modern
RVs, Robinson said.

Monday night, the council appropriated $4,000
to bring electrical service to seven sites. City workers will
provide labor for establishing new gravel pads and grill pits.
Robinson said work would proceed when city workers aren't needed
for projects with a higher priority.

Fees will be raised from $5 to $8 for a
non-electric hook-up service, and from $8 to $15 for an electric
hook-up. An improved self-collection system, requiring campers to
put their registration on a post at the campsite, was also
approved.